Legislators urged to face crisis

Starting with a positive look back at his administration's accomplishments before talking about the state's budget crisis, Gov. Paul Patton didn't say anything he hasn't already said in his final State of the Commonwealth address.

Patton, with less than a year left in office, began the speech by reflecting on his time as the "education governor," for improving higher education, early childhood education and adult education in addition to improving the economy and pointed to a declining crime rate during his tenure.

Then he declared the $500 million budget shortfall would be the biggest issue the legislature will address in the short off-year session.

"We're not alone; 49 other states have severe revenue problems, most are in worse shape than Kentucky," Patton said. "Thirty-two states have raised taxes. This is the worst fiscal crisis since World War II. The same is true for most of the states."